Universal Credit - Work Focused Invterview

KCJA1989

Hi all,

Background to our situation. Our household consists of myself, my wife and our three children (ages 9, 6, 2). I am employed with a contract of 20 hours per week (fully flexible, seven days a week), although I usually work more. My wife is the main carer to our children. Our older two children are in full time education, whilst our youngest will not be until she turns 3 (next February). 

My wife has been asked to attend a Work Focused Interview. She attended one of these previously (by telephone), about six months ago. She is worried about this and doesn't know what to expect. 

What will she be expected to do at this point? Clearly, with our youngest not yet being in education (she will be attending the appointment, too), any employment will be difficult at this time. 

What will she be expected to do when our youngest starts education next year? My wife wants to work, but she will likely still be the "main carer". Will this be taken into account? If so, would she be required to only work during school times? Also, what category of employment would she be required to apply for, would she be forced into a job she didn't want to do?

Will I be required to look for a job with more contracted hours? I often work full time hours, when the wages are available (I would never turn down work). 

Am I correct in thinking that because I earn enough to be between the AET and CET that we, as a couple, are in the "light-touch category"? Would either of us be required to do more than we do currently due to this?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm just trying to get some answers and this place has always helped in the past.

Thanks a lot!

NedS

Your wife is in the work preparation regime because she is the main carer for a child aged 2. As such she is required to attend Work Focused Interviews with a work coach to discuss taking steps towards moving towards work when the child turns 3. She will move into the All Work Related Requirements regime and be required to look for work once the youngest child turns 3. At that point, if your household earnings are above the couple AET rate then she will move into light touch due to your earnings and would not have to look for work or attend appointments, but for now the AET / Light Touch does not apply to her because she is not currently in the All Work Related Requirements regime.

So for now she must attend these appointments or risk being sanctioned.

KCJA1989

Thank you for such a prompt reply, it means a lot.

She will be attending the appointment, without a doubt, no issue there - just not sure what to expect, think it's making her anxious. One hears all the horror stories of sanctions (especially with the current money issues), she's afraid of having this interview and being given new commitments to adhere to. 

She has made it clear that she wants to find work once the children are in school. I think a big part of the fear stems from being pushed into an unsuitable job or working hours. 

Whilst I am in my current employment with this contract, I believe we will always be in the "light-touch" group - what would she be required to do at that point (when all children are in education). Sorry if that's a stupid question, just unsure as you say she wouldn't have to look for work or attend appointments. 

Thanks.

NedS

KCJA1989 said:

Thank you for such a prompt reply, it means a lot.

She will be attending the appointment, without a doubt, no issue there - just not sure what to expect, think it's making her anxious. One hears all the horror stories of sanctions (especially with the current money issues), she's afraid of having this interview and being given new commitments to adhere to. 

She has made it clear that she wants to find work once the children are in school. I think a big part of the fear stems from being pushed into an unsuitable job or working hours. 

Whilst I am in my current employment with this contract, I believe we will always be in the "light-touch" group - what would she be required to do at that point (when all children are in education). Sorry if that's a stupid question, just unsure as you say she wouldn't have to look for work or attend appointments. 

Thanks.

Really no need for her to be anxious. To be blunt, her work coach is going to love her - she turns up for her appointments (always a huge plus!) and actually wants to get a job when her youngest starts school - that's pretty much the definition of the perfect customer! Just go along and have a friendly positive chat. They will not be asking her to commit to anything and are there to help if there is actually anything she may be able to benefit from.

And like you say, once your youngest child does turn 3 she will be in light touch anyway (assuming nothing changes with your circumstances in the next year) so it's all kind of irrelevant anyway and certainly nothing for her to be at all worried about. The Light Touch regime has no commitments or requirements - you have household earnings so they leave you alone - no appointments and not required to look for work or more work.

Spoonie_Turtle

If your circumstances were to change and your earnings to drop below the AET, your wife as the main carer for your children would be expected to look for work for the relevant number of hours based on the age of your youngest child.  

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-responsibilities

Aged 3 or 4	Work a maximum of 16 hours a week (or spend 16 hours a week looking for work)
Aged between 5 and 12	Work a maximum of 25 hours a week (or spend 25 hours a week looking for work)
13 or older	Work a maximum of 35 hours a week (or spend 35 hours a week looking for work)